This report presents the principal fundamental information known about the visual task of driving at night and provides insights as to how these principals may be used to make roadways safer and improve traffic flow at night. The first chapter describes the visual task of driving and establishes the elements in the perceptual process. It then discusses how night driving differs from daylight operations. Chapter two identifies and critically evaluates how the night driver acquires information from the roadway scene and discusses what are the important cues needed for vehicular operation. The third chapter discusses the required sight distances for carrying out the three major subtasks in driving. Chapter four discusses visibility models and their potential uses. The final chapter suggests methods for improving road design for night-time conditions. Design elements discussed include public and vehicular lighting, the use of retroreflective materials and the use of self-luminous signals. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting